The Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has said that the side he picks in this week's friendly against Denmark is likely to err on the side of experience.
Although he has a few injury problems, Coventry's Gary Breen has been passed fit to play for the national side and McCarthy has hinted that the team he fields in Wednesday night's friendly will feature players who are at the forefront of his thinking as he prepares for the World Cup.
McCarthy wants to call up John O'Shea from the under-21 squad after he was robbed of Roy Keane, Mark Kennedy, Kevin Kilbane, Lee Carsley and Andy O'Brien. But McCarthy expects to field a strong side with experienced players rather than experiment too much.
He added: "I will give one or two players a run-out to have a look at them but I shall try to put out a strong team.
"You have to get the balance right at all times and I shall not be using lots of substitutes like I did against Russia.
"This will be a good test for us because Denmark have good players and are physically strong, and they will be looking to do well at the World Cup."
McCarthy admitted that his choices were all but made as far as the final 23-man squad was concerned but that there remains a remote chance of selection for any player who particularly impress him at this late stage.
"The squad who got me there are in pole position, and we'll see what transpires between now and me naming my 23," he said.
"But I am not going to knock anybody's ambition to go by saying there isn't any places available.
"The squad who come with me to Sunderland will be the squad which travels, unless somebody got injured in that game, or in our last friendly against Nigeria."
One of those with a chance to really establish himself is Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison, who McCarthy has picked to start the friendly against Denmark.
"It is time Clinton started a game," said McCarthy. "He has had a few cameo appearances. He came off the bench and he scored on his debut against Croatia, but it is time he played from the start.
"Clinton has got pace and makes good runs into the channels. He is also strong which is good for us when Niall Quinn doesn't play.
"He needs to play and to see how he comes to terms with himself. I remember it took me 10 appearances before the penny dropped and I felt I could cope with international football and be okay and maybe it is the same for him.
"He is a goalscorer, no question. If he gets a chance he has the ability to put the ball in the net.
"I had heard stories that he is cocky, but he is anything but. He is a lovely guy who has fitted in exceptionally well to the squad."
McCarthy has also paid tribute to goalkeeper Shay Given, labelling the Newcastle stopper as the " best goalkeeper in the Premiership".
Among the many selection dilemmas that the 32 international managers may have, McCarthy seems satisified that he will not have to look far to know who his number one choice between the goalposts will be.
The Republic boss is aware that he could be challenged on his opinion but he is a satisfied man that Given's continuing progress gives him a high-quality player on top form at the right time.
He said: "I suppose I should say 'arguably' the best because some people will argue with me I'm sure, but in my opinion he is.
"His main attribute is simply that he stops the ball going in the net. He has always been a top-class goalkeeper, ever since he made his senior debut against Russia in 1996.
"People look at him between the sticks and think 'he is not Edwin van der Sar' who is 6ft 5in, or that he doesn't have a huge big frame.
"There has always been the criticism that he is not that big, but he is as tall as me and I reckon I am a big fella.
"I would say he is the most agile keeper. He does things in training that get a round of applause for the saves he makes."
McCarthy is impressed that Given has worked hard to develop as a player in the time since he made his international debut.
"What he has improved on is when the ball is at his feet, but then all goalkeepers had to improve because the game is such that they have to use their feet and become better footballers," he said.
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